Apparatus for controlling winding operations in a spinning machine



Nov. 29, 1966 w. PFEIFER 3,287,891

APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING WINDING OPERATIONS IN A SPINNING MACHINE Filed June 15, 1964 Fig. 7

Jnwenforz/xm r United States Patent Z i 14 Claims. (21. 51-99 The present invention relates to apparatus for controlling winding operations, and more particularly to apparatus for controlling the reciprocating motion of a spindle supporting carriage provided in a spinning machine as it has become known in its fundamental construction for instance by US. Patent 2,901,883.

Spinning machines, particularly machines in which preliminary spinning and winding operations are carried out with rovings have a spindle carriage which is reciprocated in an up-and-down motion. In accordance with the prior art, a reversing transmission including three bevel gears reverses the direction of movement of the carriage when two of the bevel gears are shifted so that one or the other of the shifted bevel gears meshes with the third bevel gear. Reversing gear means of this type require a very exact adjustment and are subjected to great Wear.

According to the prior art, a control shaft is operatively connected to the reversing transmission, and shifts the same after turning an angle of 180 so that two reciprocating strokes are performed by the carriage during each revolution of the control shaft. The control shaft is driven by a pair of bevel gears, one of which has a toothed gap. When shifting of the reversing transmission is required, the drive pinion must engage the gear teeth adjacent the gap, and turn the control shaft half a revolution. The frequent change of the meshing engagement is unreliable, and subjects the gears to great wear.

it is one object of the present invention to overcome these disadvantages of the known apparatus controlling reversing of a reciprocating means during winding operation, and to provide an apparatus which is not subjected to great wear.

Another object of the invention is to provide apparatus for controlling winding operations in which the reversal of a reciprocating motion is automatically carried out by an electric circuit including electrically operated couplings.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for automatically reversing reciprocating operations in which reversing gear means are in constant meshing engagement, and are not shifted.

Another object of the invention is to control automatic winding operations by a rotary cam.

With these objects in view, the resent invention obtains reversal of the direction of the reciprocating motion of a spindle by alternate actuation of two reversing couplings, which are preferably electromagnetic couplings alternately energized by a rotary control means preferably including a cam. The rotary control means is connected to drive means by an electromagnetic control coupling which is energized at the ends of reciprocating strokes, preferably by limit switches. One embodiment of the invention is advantageously used in a spinning machine, and comprises operating means reciprocable for controlling the winding of rovings on spindle means; transmission means connecting drive means with the operating means and including a pair of electromagnetic reversing couplings for moving the operating means in opposite reciprocating strokes when one or the other of the reversing couplings is energized, respectively; rotary control 3,287,891 Patented Nov. 29, 1966 means, such as a control shaft carrying a cam; an electromagnetic control coupling for connecting the control means with the drive means; and a circuit connecting the control coupling and the reversing couplings and including first switch means actuated by the opera-ting means at the ends of reciprocating strokes and energizing the control coupling, and second switch means actuated by the control means, and more particularly by the cam of the control means, and energizing the reversing couplings.

A reciprocating stroke is performed in one direction when one of the reversing couplings is energized, and a reciprocating stroke is carried out when the respective other reversing coupling is energized. The rotary control means causes alternate energization of the two reversing couplings, and the first switch means include two limit switches alternately closed by the reciprocating operating means at the ends of strokes, and energizing and de-energizing the control coupling so that the control means is turned a selected angle during each stroke, preferably an angle of 180.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the cam of the control means shifts not only a switch by which one or the other reversing coupling is energized, but also a switch connected in series with the two limit switches and preparing the circuit of the same.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which: I

FIG. 1 is a schematic developed view illustrating the elements of a preliminary spinning machine required for winding operations and including the control apparatus according to the invention; and

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the electric circuit of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1.

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIG. 1, it will be understood that the spinning machine comprises many parts which :are not illustrated in FIG. 1 for the sake of clarity and simplicity. A drive motor 10 drives through a belt 12 a pulley 14 fixed on a shaft 16 which carries a cone pulley 18. The other cone pulley 38 of the variable transmission 20 is connected to cone pulley 18 by a belt 36 which can be shifted in axial direction of cone pulleys 18 and 38 by a shifting member 90 including a nut on a rotary threaded spindle 88. When spindle 88 is rotated, as will be explained hereinafter, the ratio of the transmission 20 is changed so that cone pulley 38 and shaft 40 rotate at a different speed.

A gear train 42 connects shaft 40 with a differential gear transmission 44 which is also driven by shaft 16 so that the output shaft 44a rotates at a speed combining the rotary speeds of shafts 16 and 40. Gear transmission means 46 connect shaft 44a with a shaft having universal joints which permit deflection of shaft 47 when a carriage 70 is reciprocatcd. The end of shaft 47 carries a worm screw meshing with a worm gear 47a from which spindle means 48 is driven.

Shaft 16 drives drawing out or stretching rollers 22, 24 through a gear tr-ain 24a. Another gear train 30, 32 drives a shaft 34a with a worm screw 34 driving through a worm gear a shaft 28 carrying the flyer 26.

In accordance with the present invention, shaft 40 carries a pair of electromagnetic reversing couplings 50 and 52 which are connected in series with a switch 104 as shown in FIG. 2. Bevel gears 54 and 56 are mounted on shaft 40 for free turning movement, and are coupled to shaft 40, respectively, when electromagnetic reversing coupling 50, or 52, is energized. Bevel gears 54 and 56 mesh with a third bevel gear 58 on a shaft as which drives through a worm transmission 62 a shaft 64 carrying a fixed pinion as.

Carri-age 79 is mounted for reciprocation in the direction of the spindle axis and has a rack bar 6-8 with which pinion 66 meshes. Consequently, the reversing transmission 52, 54, 56, 58, 6t), 62, 64, 66, as produces a reciprocating stroke of the carriage with spindle means 48 in one direction when reversing coupling 59 is energized, and in the opposite direction when reversing coupling 52 is energized without requiring a shifting of gears.

A hollow shaft '74 is driven from drive shaft 16 by gear means 72, and is connected to the first part of an electromagnetic control coupling 76 whose second part is secured to a control shaft 78 passing through hollow shaft 74. Control shaft 78 carries a fixed cam 8% at one end which operates by a cam follower 83 a switch means 84 which includes switch 164, and also a switch 102 connected in series with control coupling 76, as shown in FIG.2.

Control shaft 78 also drives a gear transmission as by which the threaded spindle 83. is rotated to shift the belt 36 of the cone pulley transmission 2%.

Shaft 88 carries a bevel gear 92 meshing with another bevel gear on a shaft 94 which has opposite threads on which a pair of nuts 95 and 97 carrying limit switches 96, 98 are mounted. Upon rotation of control shaft 78 and of spindle 94, the position of limit switches 96 and 98 will be adjusted.

Limit switches 96 and 98 are actuated by a projecting lug lllll on carriage 70 when the same arrives at the ends of reciprocating strokes.

As shown in FIG. 2, limit switches 96 and 98 are connected in series with switch 162 and with electromagnetic control coupling 76. Since limit switches and 98 are closed and electromagnetic control coupling 76 is energized only at the ends of the strokes of carriage 7%, control shaft 78 and cam 80 start to rotate at the end of the strokes of the carriage.

Cam 80 has a lower circular cam track portion and a higher circular cam track portion respectively shown to extend over an angle of 180. Therefore, switches 102 and 164 will be shifted when control shaft '78 and cam 86 have turned 180, but the arrangement may be modified by providing, for example, two higher cam tracks and two lower cam tracks 50 that switches N2, llt l are shifted after turning of cam 8i through an angle of 90.

As is clearly shown in FIG. '2, switch 192 prepares in the illustrated position the circuit of limit switch 98 and prepares in its shifted position the circuit of limit switch 96. In ether position of switch 102, electromagnetic control coupling 76 is energized when projection of carriage 70 engages one or-the other of the limit switches 96, 98. For example, in the position illustrated in FIG. 2, closing of limit switch 98 by projection 1% will make a circuit from the source of voltage, connector 1106, limit switch 96, shifting switch 192, electromagnetic control coupling 76 and connector 198. At the same time, reversing coupling 50 will be energized through connectors 1496 and 108, and shiftable switch 1534.

Assuming the limit switches to be in the position shown in FIG. 2, and the carriage 70 in the position of FIG. 1, start of the motor 10 will cause rotation of shaft 16 and 40 so that the energized reversing coupling 54 will drive bevel gear 54 and will cause, for example, downward movement of carriage 79 until projection 10% engages limit switch 98 and closes the same. Control coupling 76 is energized and couples control shaft 73 with shaft 74 and drive shaft 16 so that cam 82 rotates in clockwise direction.

At the same time, control shaft 78 drives spindle 88 so that the ratio of the cone pulley transmission 20 is adjusted, and also rotates shaft 94 so that the position of limit switches 96, 98 is adjusted a distance which can be selected by suitably choosing the ratio of gears 92, or the pitch of the opposite threads on spindle 94. Gears 3% and 92 are preferably changeable for this purpose.

Cam 8% whose rotation started when limit switch 98 was closed, turns until the cam follower $3 of switch 84 is engaged by the higher cam track. Switches 102 and 1 4 are shifted so that the circuit of the open switch 96 is prepared, and the circuit of the closed switch 98 is interrupted by switch llilZ. Control coupling 76 is deenergized, and shaft 73 and camsd stop.

Shifting of switch 1634 has tie-energized reversing coupling 59 and energized reversing coupling 52 so that carriage 7% is driven in the opposite direction toward limit switch 96. When projecting lug lilil engages limit switch as, the circuit of control coupling 76 is again closed through switch MP2, the position of member 9'9 and 36 is adjusted, resulting in a different speed of spindle 4-8, and the distance between the limit switches 96 and 98 is also adjusted by the travelling nuts 95 and 97 so that the next reciprocating stroke of carriage 70 will be shorter. Cam is turned so that the lower cam track is engaged by cam follower 83, and switches 102, 1% are shifted by resilient means, not shown, to the position shown in FIG. 2. The operation is automatically reeated until the motor is stopped.

Due to the provision of the rotary control cam and the actuation of shifting switches M2, 104 by the same, carriage 7% will continue its movement in the same direction as before when motor 16 is stopped, and then again started. The direction of movement of carriage 70 depends on the position of control cam 89, and since control cam 8t) stops when motor Ill is stopped, it continues its movement out of the same position when the motor is again started so that the carriage, when stopped in the middle of a reciprocating stroke, will continue the same reciprocating stroke to the respective end position.

The present invention has been described with reference to an embodiment in which a carriage is reciprocated, but

other operating means which are reciprocable for controlling wvinding operations are advantageously driven in the same manner under the control of reversing couplings, and a control coupling.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together, may also find a useful application in other types of apparatus for controlling winding operations differing from the types described above.

While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in an apparatus for controlling the reciproeating movement of a spindle carriage in a spinning machine in which rovings are drawn out and twisted, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can by applying current knowledge readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention and, therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalence of the following claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. Apparatus for controlling lwinding operations, comprising, in combination, drive means; operating means reciprocable for controlling winding operations on spindle means; transmission means connecting said drive means with said operating means and including reversing means having first and second positions for moving said operating means in opposite reciprocating strokes, respectively; and control means including an electromagnetic control coupling having a first coupling part rotated by said drive means and a second coupling part operatively connected to said reversing means for alternately placing the same in said first and second positions after turning of said second coupling part through selected angles, and switch means actuated by said operating means at the ends of reciprocating strokes and connected to said electromagnetic control coupling for energizing the same so that said second coupling part is driven.

2. Apparatus for controlling winding operations, comprising, in combination, drive means; operating means reciprocable for controlling winding operations on spindle means; transmission means connecting said drive means with said operating means and including reversing coupling means having first and second positions for moving said operating means in opposite reciprocating strokes, respectively; and control means including an electromagnetic control coupling having a first coupling part rotated by said drive means and a second coupling part operatively connected to said reversing coupling means for alternately placing the same in said first and second positions after turning of said second coupling part through selected angles, and switch means actuated by said operating means at the ends of reciprocating strokes and connected to said electromagnetic control coupling for energizing the same so that said second coupling part is driven.

3. Apparatus for controlling winding operations, comprising, in combination, drive means; spindle support means reciprocable for controlling Winding o erations on spindle means; transmission means connecting said drive means With said spindle support means and including electromagnetic reversing coupling means having first and second positions for moving said spindle support means in opposite reciprocating strokes, respectively; and control means including an electromagnetic control coupling having a first coupling part rotated by said drive means and a second coupling part operatively connected to said electromagnetic means for alternately placing the same in said first and second positions after turning of said second coupling part through selected angles, and switch means actuated by said spindle support means at the ends of reciprocating strokes and connected to said electromagnetic control coupling for energizing the same so that said second coupling part is driven.

4. In a spinning machine, in combination, drive means; operating means reciprocable for controlling the winding of rovings on spindle means; transmission means connecting said drive means with said operating means and including a pair of electromagnetic reversing couplings for moving said operating means in opposite reciprocating strokes when one or the other of said reversing couplings is energized, respectively; rotary control means; an electromagnetic control coupling for connecting said control means with said drive means; and a circuit connecting said control coupling and said reversing couplings and including switch means actuated by said operating means at the end of a reciprocating stroke whose direction is determined by the energization of one of said reversing couplings, said actuated switch means energizing said control coupling whereby said control shaft means is turned, and other switch means actuated by said control means after the same has turned a selected angle, and energizing the respective other reversing coupling so that said operating means is driven to perform opposite reciprocating strokes.

5. In a spinning machine, in combination, drive means; operating means reciprocable for controlling the winding of rovings on spindle means; transmission means connecting said drive means with said operating means and including a pair of electromagnetic reversing couplings for moving said operating means in opposite reciprocating strokes when one or the other of said reversing couplings is energized, respectively; rotary control means; an electromagnetic control coupling for connecting said control means with said drive means; and a circuit connecting said control coupling and said reversing couplings and including a pair of limit switches actuated by said operating means at the ends of reciprocating strokes respectively carried out under the control of said reversing couplings, and switch means actuated by said control means and including a first switch connected in series with said limit switches and with said control coupling, and a second switch connected in series with said reversing couplings so that upon shifting of said second switch the direction of reciprocation of said operating means is reversed, and upon shifting of said first switch one or the other of said limit switches is connected with said control coupling so that the same is energized when said operating means closes one or the other of said limit switches in end positions of its reciprocating movement whereby said control means is rotated and actuates said first and second switches after turning through a selected angle.

6. In a spinning machine, in combination, drive means; operating means reciprocable for controlling the winding of rovings on spindle means; transmission means connecting said drive means with said operating means and including a shaft, a pair of bevel gears mounted on said shaft freely rotatable thereon, a pair of electromagnetic reversing couplings having first parts secured to said transmission shaft and second parts respectively secured to said bevel gears, and a third bevel gear meshing with said bevel gears and operatively connected to said operating means for reciprocating the same in opposite reciprocating strokes when one or the other of said reversing couplings is energized, respectively; rotary control means; an electromagnetic control coupling for connecting said control means with said drive means; and a circuit connecting said control coupling and said reversing couplings and including switch means actuated by said operating means at the end of a reciprocating stroke whose direction is determined by the energization of one of said reversing couplings, said actuated switch means energizing said control coupling whereby said control shaft means is turned, and other switch means actuated by said control means after the same has turned a selected angle, and energizing the respective other reversing coupling so that said operating means is driven to perform opposite reciprocating strokes.

7. In a spinning machine, in combination, drive means; operating means reciprocable for controlling the winding of rovings on spindle means; transmission means connecting said drive means with said operating means and including a pair of electromagnetic reversing couplings for moving said operating means in opposite reciprocating strokes When one or the other of said reversing couplings is energized, respectively; rotary control means including a control shaft and a control cam driven by said control shaft; an electromagnetic control coupling for connecting said control means With said drive means; and a circuit connecting said control coupling and said reversing couplings and including switch means actuated by said operat ing means at the end of a reciprocating stroke whose direction is determined by the energization of one of said reversing couplings, said actuated switch means energizing said control coupling whereby said control shaft means is turned, and other switch means having a cam follower actuated by said control cam after the same has turned a selected angle, and energizing the respective other reversing coupling so that said operating means is driven to perform opposite reciprocating strokes.

8. In a spinning machine, in combination, drive means; operating means reciprocable for controlling the winding of rovings on spindle means; transmission means connecting said drive means with said operating means and including a pair of electromagnetic reversing couplings for moving said operating means in opposite reciprocating strokes when one or the other of said reversing couplings is energized, respectively; rotary control means; an electromagnetic control coupling for connecting said control means with said drive means including a control shaft and a control cam driven by said control shaft; and a circuit connecting said control coupling and said reversing couplings and including a pair of limit switches actuated by said operating means at the ends of reciprocating strokes respectively carried out under the control of said reversing couplings, and switch means having a cam follower operated by said control cam to actuate said switch means, and including a first switch connected in series with said limit switches and with said control coupling, and a second switch connected in series with said reversing couplings so that upon shifting of said second switch the direction of reciprocation of said operating means is reversed, and upon shifting of said first switch one or the other of said limit switches is connected with said control coupling so that the same is energized when said operating means closes one or the other of said limit switches in end positions of its reciprocating movement whereby said control means is rotated and actuates said first and second switches after turning through a selected angle.

9. In a spinning machine, in combination, drive means; operating means reciprocable for controlling the winding of rovings on spindle means; transmission means conmeeting said drive means with said operating means and including a shaft, a pair of bevel gears mounted on said shaft freely rotatable thereon, a pair of electromagnetic reversing couplings having first parts secured to said transmission shaft and second parts respectively secured to said bevel gears, and a third bevel gear meshing with said bevel gears and operatively connected to said operating means for reciprocating the same in opposite reciprocating strokes when one or the other of said reversing couplings is energized, respectively; rotary control means including a control shaft and a control cam driven by said control shaft; an electromagnetic control coupling for connecting said control means with said drive means; and a circuit cormecting said control coupling and said reversing couplings and including a pair of limit switches actuated by said operating means at the ends of reciprocating strokes respecti 'ely carried out under the control of said reversing couplings, and switch means having a cam follower operated by said control cam to actuate sai-d switch means, and including a first switch connected in series with said limit switches and with said control coupling, and a second switch connected in series with said reversing couplings so that upon shifting of said second switch the direction of reciprocation of said operating means is reversed, and upon shifting of said first switch one or the other of said limit switches is connected with said control coupling so that the same is energized when said operating means closes one or the other of said limit switches in end positions of its reciprocating movement whereby said control means is rotated and actuates said first and second switches after turning through a selected angle.

10. In a spinning machine, in combination, drive means; carriage means for supporting spindle means and being reciprocable with the same for controlling the winding of rovings on said spindle means; transmission means connecting said drive means with said carriage means and including a pair of electromagnetic reversing couplings for moving said operating means in opposite reciprocating strokes when one or the other of said reversing couplings is energized, respectively; rotary control means; an electromagnetic control coupling for connecting said control means with said drive means; and a circuit connecting said control coupling and said reversing couplings and including switch means actuated by said carriage means at the end of a reciprocating stroke whose direction is determined by the energization of one of said reversing couplings, said actuated switch means energizing said control coupling whereby said control shaft means is turned, and other switch means actuated by said control means after the same has turned a selected angle, and energizing the respective other reversing coupling so that said carriage means is driven to perform opposite reciprocating strokes.

11. In a spinning machine, in combination, drive means; carriage means for supporting spindle means and being reciprocable with the same for controlling the winding of rovings on said spindle means; transmission means connecting said drive means with said carriage means and including a shaft, a pair of bevel gears mounted on said shaft freely rotatable thereon, a pair of electromagnetic reversing couplings having first parts secured to said transmission shaft and second parts respectively secured to said bevel gears, and a third bevel gear meshing with said bevel gears and operatively connected to said carriage means for reciprocating the same in opposite reciprocating strokes when one or the other of said reversing couplings is energized, respectively; rotary control means including a control shaft and a control cam driven by said control shaft; an electromagnetic control coupling for connecting said control means with said drive means; and a circuit connecting said control coupling and said reversing couplings and including a pair of limit switches actuated by said carriage means at the ends of reciprocating strokes respectively carried out under the control of said reversing couplings, and switch means having a cam follower operated by said control cam to actuate said switch means, and including'a first switch connected in series with said limit switches and with said control coupling, and a second switch connected in series with said reversing couplings so that upon shifting of said second switch the direction of reciprocation of said carriage means is reversed, and upon shifting of said first switch one or the other of said limit switches is connected with said control coupling so that the same is energized when said carriage means closes one or the other of said limit switches in end positions of its reciprocating movement whereby said control means is rotated and actuates said first and second switches after turning through a selected angle.

12. An apparatus as set forth in claim 11 wherein said cam has a higher circular cam track and a lower circular cam track, each of said cam tracks extending over so that said selected angle is 180.

13. An apparatus as set forth in claim 11 including means for adjusting the position of and the distance between said limit switches and being driven from said control shaft while said control coupling is energized.

14. An apparatus as set forth in claim 11 wnerein said drive means include a gradually variable transmission having a movable member for adjusting the transmission ratio; and wherein said movable member is connected with said control shaft and driven by the same while said control coupling is energized.

References Iited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,101,395 12/1937 Kat 5798 2,870,597 1/1959 Hill et al. 5799 X 3,010,274 11/1961 Scowcroft 5798 3,013,376 12/1961 Whitehurst 5771 X 3,112,602 12/1963 Ozaki 5799 3,114,224 12/l963 Morikawa 5771 3,130,930 4/1964 Miller 5799 X FRANK I. COHEN, Primary Examiner.

D. E. WATKINS, Assistant Examiner. 

1. APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING WINDING OPERATIONS, COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION, DRIVE MEANS; OPERATING MEANS RECIPROCABLE FOR CONTROLLING WINDING OPERATIONS ON SPINDLE MEANS; TRNSMISSION MEANS CONNECTING SAID DRIVE MEANS WITH SAID OPERATING MEANS AND INCLUDING REVERSING MEANS HAVING FIRST AND SECOND POSITIONS FOR MOVING SAID OPERATING MEANS IN OPPOSITE RECIPROCATING STROKES, RESPECTIVELY; AND CONTROL MEANS COUPLING PART ROTATED BY SAID DRIVE COUPLING HAVING A FIRST COUPLING PART ROTATED BY SAID DRIVE MEANS AND A SECOND COUPLING PART OPERATIVELY CONNECTED TO SAID REVERSING MEANS FOR ALTERNATELY PLACING THE SAME IN SAID FIRST AND SECOND POSITIONS AFTER TURNING OF SAID SECOND COUPLING PART THROUGH SELECTED ANGLES, AND SWITCH MEANS ACTUATED BY SAID OPERATING MEANS AT THE ENDS OF RECIPROCATING STROKES AND CONNECTED TO SAID ELECTROMAGNETIC CONTROL COUPLING FOR ENERGIZING THE SAME SO THAT SAID SECOND COUPLING PART IS DRIVEN. 